Agreement Signed; Final Contract Expected in Next Quarter for Coastal Defence System.
Anti-ship version of BrahMos missile fired from Andaman Nicobar Island. (27 April 2022)
India-Indonesia Brahmos missile deal: New Delhi/Jakarta, March 4, 2026: Indonesia has taken a major step toward strengthening its maritime defence capabilities by signing an agreement with India to procure the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with a final contract valued at approximately $350 million expected to be concluded in the next quarter, according to officials familiar with the development.
The agreement covers the acquisition of one battery of the BrahMos missile system, intended primarily for Indonesia’s coastal defence, as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to modernise its military hardware and enhance maritime security.
Confirmation of the agreement came from Indonesian authorities, with a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence (Indonesia), Rico Ricardo Sirait, acknowledging the development in remarks quoted by media in Jakarta on March 9.
Brahmos missile: Strengthening Maritime Defence
According to the Indonesian defence ministry spokesperson, the BrahMos acquisition forms part of the country’s broader efforts to upgrade its military capabilities, particularly in the maritime domain.
Indonesia, an archipelagic nation with vast coastlines and strategic sea lanes, has been investing in coastal defence systems to safeguard its territorial waters and maritime trade routes. The BrahMos system’s speed, precision, and long-range strike capability make it suitable for countering potential naval threats.
Under the proposed agreement, India will supply the 290-kilometre range variant of the BrahMos missile. The supersonic weapon system is capable of performing multiple roles, including anti-ship missions, land-attack operations, and coastal defence.
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Second Brahmos missile Export Deal in Southeast Asia
If finalised, the Indonesian purchase would become India’s second export contract for the BrahMos missile in Southeast Asia. The first was signed with the Philippines in 2022, marking a significant milestone for India’s defence export ambitions.
India has been actively promoting the BrahMos missile to friendly foreign countries as part of its strategy to expand defence exports and deepen strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.
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India–Russia Joint Venture
The BrahMos missile is produced through a joint venture between India and Russia, involving India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia.
Both countries hold nearly equal stakes in the joint venture, and exports of the missile system require mutual agreement because key technologies integrated into the system originate from Russia.
BrahMos is widely regarded as the world’s only operational supersonic cruise missile, capable of travelling at speeds of around Mach 2.8 to Mach 3, significantly faster than most subsonic cruise missiles used globally.
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Brahmos: Operational Record in Indian Military
The missile system is already widely deployed across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, making it one of India’s most important long-range precision strike weapons.
BrahMos missiles were also used effectively by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The operation was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 and targeted terrorist camps as well as military infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Indian defence officials have described the missile as among the longest-range and most versatile artillery-style strike weapons currently operational in the country’s armed forces.
Financing and Next Steps
Indonesian authorities are currently arranging financing for the acquisition through one of the country’s banks, according to Indian officials. Once funding arrangements are finalised, the formal procurement contract is expected to be signed in the next quarter.
The prospective deal is seen as another sign of growing defence cooperation between India and Southeast Asian nations, particularly as countries in the region seek advanced systems to strengthen maritime security and deterrence.
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